After finishing the book, watching the ink dry and closing the back cover; my world had changed. In the wake of the lessons learned through both pain and triumph, I have decided to challenge myself.

2015, for many of us, was a year with disappointments, sickness, loss and turmoil. If you were anything like me, it knocked you down and for a while you forgot how to get back up. You stayed down, flat on your back and watched the last shots of the year fly over you.

By the time you assured yourself that the enemies had retreated and you were safe to rise again you realized the war had been over months before. You stood alone amongst the ruins. Everyone else had picked themselves up, dusted their clothes and moved away to rebuild and continue living.

It was only you who laid in the ashes, like one of the lost, and forgot how to live. For a while, you forgot how to breathe. You saw nothing but flames, heard nothing but explosions and felt nothing but incredible pain.

But the year is over.

And once again you are on your feet.

This time, like me, you have learnt a few lessons and developed some battle scars. You are a survivor. You are brave and triumphant. Regardless of what happened in 2015, you stand here in 2016 sword in hand ready to take on the new challenges.

So, lets take a journey. Lets see the world through rose colored glasses and embrace the opportunities in front of us. Let’s change not the world but how we see the world.

I have decided that 2016 will be the year of romance.

No, I don’t mean the ridiculous teddy bear and flowers romance that society has us believing symbolizes love, I am referring to the romance of poets past. That connection of soul to nature, the call to creativity, the ability to find good even in death and suffering. 2016 will be the year I relocate a side of myself that has been lying dormant a for far too long and yearns to be expressed.

Are you willing to join me in my quest to breathe the fresh air and explore the secrets of the world instead of complaining about the minuscule flaws it has?

Are you willing to be part of the revolution?

Are you ready to make a difference instead of add to the problem?

Sliding my sun hat on, I leave you with one last thought:

The real tragedy is that many are afraid of death but not afraid of wasting their lives ~ Daniel Saint

Enjoying the feel of the sun on my face,

Brokebella ❤

*** For photographic evidence of my new outlook on life check out: 
@brokebellaphotography on Instagram.***